Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from hydrocarbon streams using the sequential application of hydrodesulfurization, fractionation and oxidation. The hydrodesulfurization step is operative to remove easily-hydrogenated sulfur species, such as sulfides, disulfides and mercaptans. The resultant stream is then fractionated at a select temperature range to generate a sub-stream that is sulfur-rich with the sulfur species resistant to removal by hydrodesulfurization. The sub-stream is then isolated and subjected to an oxidative process operative to oxidize the sulfur species to sulfones or sulfoxides, which may then be removed by a variety of conventional methods, such as absorption. Alternatively, the methods may comprise using the sequential application of fractionation to generate a sulfur-rich sub-stream followed by oxidation and subsequent removal of the sulfur species present in the sub-fraction. The latter methods are ideally suited for transmix applications.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is provided for communicating a medical prescription with a mobile processing system. In this method, a first request to fulfill the medical prescription is received from the mobile processing system. This first request is formatted in an instant messaging protocol and includes a mobile processing system identifier and a transaction identifier. A patient identifier that is associated with the mobile processing system identifier is identified, and transactions associated with the patient identifier are accessed to identify a transaction that is associated with the transaction identifier. The transaction then is transmitted in a second request to a pharmacy system that is configured to fulfill the medical prescription.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from hydrocarbon streams using the sequential application of hydrodesulfurization, fractionation and oxidation. The hydrodesulfurization step is operative to remove easily-hydrogenated sulfur species, such as sulfides, disulfides and mercaptans. The resultant stream is then fractionated at a select temperature range to generate a sub-stream that is sulfur-rich with the sulfur species resistant to removal by hydrodesulfurization. The sub-stream is then isolated and subjected to an oxidative process operative to oxidize the sulfur species to sulfones or sulfoxides, which may then be removed by a variety of conventional methods, such as absorption. Alternatively, the methods may comprise using the sequential application of fractionation to generate a sulfur-rich sub-stream followed by oxidation and subsequent removal of the sulfur species present in the sub-fraction. The latter methods are ideally suited for transmix applications.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desireable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: Processes for generating and removing oxidized sulfur species, and in particular sulfoxides, from crude oil and various fractions derived therefrom. Initially, the sulfur species present in the crude oil or fractions derived from the crude oil, is oxidized such that substantially all of the sulfur species are converted to sulfoxides and/or a combination of sulfoxides and sulfones. Thereafter, the fossil fuel containing the oxidized sulfur species are subjected to conventional hydrodesulfurization processes where substantially all of the sulfones are converted to hydrogen sulfide gas.

Abstract: Processes for generating and removing oxidized sulfur species, and in particular sulfones, from crude oil and various fractions derived therefrom. Initially, the sulfur species present in the crude oil or fractions derived from the crude oil, is oxidized such that substantially all of the sulfur species are converted to sulfones. Thereafter, the fossil fuel containing the oxidized sulfur species are subjected to conventional hydrodesulfurization processes where substantially all of the sulfones are converted to hydrogen sulfide gas.

Abstract: An embodiment of the system of the present invention generally comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus which includes a feeder, an OCR scanner, a video scanner, a mailpiece transporter, a diverter and output module, compartments or bins for receiving sorted mailpieces, optical character recognition system for reading addressee information, an addressee database, a suspect database, and microprocessor based control system. In alternate embodiments of the present invention: the system is contained in a detection area and clean room and/or connection to an investigation entity. The system and method of integrates prediction of the presence of life harming material in mailpieces with mailpiece processing so as to help deter delays in incoming mail delivery caused by the presence of life harming material the suspected presence of life harming material and to protect the intended recipients from harm.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of heat, an oxidizing agent and, preferably, sonic energy. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process, and may further include optional steps of centrifugation or hydrodesulfurization.

Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: An embodiment of the system of the present invention generally comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus which includes a feeder, an OCR scanner, a video scanner, a mailpiece transporter, a diverter and output module, compartments or bins for receiving sorted mailpieces, optical character recognition system for reading addressee information, an addressee database, a suspect database, and microprocessor based control system. In alternate embodiments of the present invention: the system is contained in a detection area and clean room and/or connection to an investigation entity. The system and method of integrates prediction of the presence of life harming material in mailpieces with mailpiece processing so as to help deter delays in incoming mail delivery caused by the presence of life harming material the suspected presence of life harming material and to protect the intended recipients from harm.

Abstract: An embodiment of the system of the present invention comprises a mailpiece sorting apparatus and a postcard printer. A list of employees that no longer work at the company or a list of changed employee addresses can be used, as well as a database of forwarding addresses. The incoming mail sorting apparatus can obtain a digital image of the front of an incoming mailpiece and can determine that the mailpiece is addressed to a former employee or an employee whose address has changed. The sender or return address is also obtained from the digital image and is printed as the recipient address on a post card. The original recipient address is printed along with a forwarding address (if available). A message is sent to the addressor that, for example, the employee is no longer at the original recipient address. The original sender is instructed to update his or her database.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved control systems for vehicles which require power to prepare the vehicle itself and to drive auxiliary equipment mounted on the vehicle. A land vehicle has hydrostatic transmission to drive at least one roadwheel to propel the vehicle, an engine connected to drive both the hydrostatic transmission and auxiliary equipment mounted on the vehicle, a hydraulic pressure supply to the transmission and a speed control for the vehicle. The speed control controls the pressure supply of the transmission and the speed of the engine whereby the engine speed is restricted to a preset limit when the auxiliary equipment is operating and the speed of the engine can be increased when the auxiliary equipment is inert and the vehicle in transit. This results in a more efficient and better controllable vehicle, particularly working vehicles such as roadsweepers, agricultural and construction vehicles.

Abstract: A fan impeller comprises a back plate, a front plate and a plurality of blades lying between the front and back plates, wherein the blades are fitted relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller to provide a leading edge adjacent the back plate, so as to impart, in use, a lateral sideways vector to a stream of and passing along the blades. At least two of the blades may be of increased thickness than the remaining blades. These improvements increase the life of the fan impeller significantly.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus is manually operated to actuate one or more fluid responsive devices. The apparatus has a plate supporting a plurality of spool valves. A control rod connected to a bearing member movably mounted on the plate supports a member engageable with the actuator of the spool valves. A spring located between the plate and member biases the control rod to a neutral position.